2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 31: Nasarawa United FC sees red as Kwara United regains winning tempo

Posted : 27 March 2025

Disaster struck for the Solid Miners at the Kwara Sports Complex, Ilorin, on Wednesday, as they lost 1-0 to fellow North Central Zonal rivals, Kwara United, in a tense Nigeria Premier League Match Day 31 fixture.

The turning point of the game came when one of Nasarawa United's reliable defenders, Utake Emmanuel, received a second yellow card, reducing the side to ten men on the field.

Things turned from bad to worse when another experienced defender, Emeka Onyema, scored an own goal in the 64th minute after failing to properly clear Abayomi Lawal's effort, sealing the win for the Harmony Boys.

Despite the bizarre outcome, the Solid Miners remain afloat in the top flight, in 16th position with 36 points. They will seek to bounce back when they host two consecutive games at the Lafia City Stadium against Akwa United on Sunday, 6th April, and Plateau United the following Sunday, 13th April 2025.

Before then, the team will turn their attention to the round of 32 fixture of the 2025 President Federation's Cup against Ijele FC of Enugu at the Prince Abubakar Audu University Stadium, Anyigba, Kogi State, on Wednesday, 2nd April 2025, at 10:00 AM.

Coach Salisu of Solid Miners, in his reaction, said his team was unlucky against the host.

"We did well in playing against their (Kwara United's) strength. We only lost a bit of focus.

"We scored against ourselves when the ball was lost around the middle of the field. You know, it takes a lot of intelligence and calmness to provide a solution at that moment when the defender tried to prevent the ball from entering his own net.

"The boys did well and gave the opponents a good match today, even though we should have won this game.

"This is my first loss since I took over the helm of affairs at the club. I have been using the available players to prosecute the remainder of the games. They are good potentials, I must say.

"However, we are choosing to focus on the positives of today's game and use this as an opportunity to regroup and come back stronger in our next two home games."

Coach Tunde Sani said, "We thank God that we won today, whether we played badly or otherwise. At least it's better than our result last week.

"We missed a lot of scoring chances. I believe if it were the opponents who had those chances, they would definitely have scored."

2024/2025 NPFL Match Day 31: Nasarawa United FC sees red as Kwara United regains winning tempo

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